At Plymouth Foam, an Altor Solutions Company, we talk a lot about the applications of EPS foam, particularly as it pertains to our customers. On a global scale, however, one of the primary uses for EPS is in road construction. Using EPS foam in road construction offers numerous benefits, including cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.
Benefits of EPS in Road Construction
One of the primary benefits of using EPS foam in road construction is its weight. EPS foam is significantly lighter than traditional road construction materials, such as concrete or asphalt. This weight reduction translates into lower transportation costs, as less fuel is required to transport the materials. Furthermore, the lightweight nature of EPS foam reduces the need for heavy machinery during construction, reducing construction time and overall project costs. As a result, EPS can be a less expensive and longer-lasting alternative to typical road fills, particularly in poor soil.
In addition to its lightweight, EPS foam is also an environmentally sustainable material. The production process for EPS foam involves using recycled materials, and it is entirely recyclable at the end of its life cycle. Furthermore, its use in road construction reduces the need for traditional road construction materials, often non-renewable and emitting greenhouse gasses during production.
From a cost-benefit perspective, using EPS foam in road construction can result in significant savings for road builders. Traditional road construction materials, such as concrete and asphalt, require substantial energy to produce and transport, resulting in high costs. On the other hand, EPS foam is an inexpensive material easily transported, reducing transportation costs significantly. Moreover, the reduced need for heavy machinery during construction can further lower project costs.
EPS Geofoam
EPS foam has applications in road construction, but the most commonly used material is Geofoam. EPS Geofoam is a type of expanded polystyrene foam specifically designed for use in geotechnical engineering applications, such as road construction.
One of the primary advantages of using geofoam in road construction is its compressive strength. Despite being lightweight, geofoam can support heavy loads without compressing or deforming, making it ideal for use in road embankments, bridge abutments, and retaining walls.
Another benefit of using geofoam is its ease of installation. Geofoam blocks are pre-cut to the desired size and shape, making them easy to transport and install. Easier transport and installation can significantly reduce construction time and labor costs compared to traditional construction materials.
From a cost-benefit perspective, using geofoam in road construction can result in significant savings for road builders. The lightweight nature of geofoam reduces the need for heavy machinery during construction, reducing construction time and overall project costs. Additionally, the compressive strength of geofoam means that less material is needed to achieve the desired load-bearing capacity, which can result in cost savings.
Conclusion
Even as long-time manufacturers of EPS foam, we are always astounded by the product’s versatility. Using EPS in road construction has so many advantages we are sure it will continue to be a game changer in many applications.
If you are looking for guidance on using EPS in your next project, please do not hesitate to contact us!